(530) South Los Angeles

Captain Jin Kawanaka is a distinguished law enforcement leader whose 24-year career with the California Highway Patrol reflects a lifelong commitment to public service, discipline, and community protection.

Captain Kawanaka is the son of a United States Army serviceman, he was raised with a deep respect for duty, honor, and country. His father’s military example strongly influenced his decision to serve. He enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served honorably for eight years. During his time in the Navy, he not only developed leadership, operational discipline, and teamwork skills, but also pursued higher education. Demonstrating his commitment to professional growth, he earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice while actively serving, balancing academic achievement with the demands of military life.

After completing his military service, Captain Kawanaka joined the California Highway Patrol, beginning what would become more than two decades of distinguished service. He first served as an officer in Santa Ana, where he built a strong foundation in traffic enforcement, patrol operations, and community engagement. His professionalism and composure led to being selected for the Governor’s Protective Detail under then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In this elite assignment, Captain Kawanaka was responsible for the safety and security of the Governor, an assignment requiring precision and unwavering vigilance.

Captain Kawanaka’s career also includes extensive experience in K-9 operations. As a K-9 handler, he partnered with K-9 Hutch, forming a highly trained and effective team dedicated to enforcement and narcotic detection operations. His work with K-9 Hutch exemplified the trust, discipline, and tactical coordination required of K-9 teams.

His leadership abilities earned him a promotion to Sergeant in Santa Fe Springs, where he supervised patrol officers and field operations. He later became a K-9 Sergeant in Border Division, overseeing multiple K-9 teams and coordinating specialized enforcement efforts in one of the state’s most operationally demanding regions. Continuing his advancement, he was promoted to Lieutenant in Santa Fe Springs, where he managed personnel, operational planning, and administrative oversight while mentoring the next generation of sergeants and officers. Captain Kawanaka’s proven leadership and forward-thinking approach led to his appointment as Commander of the newly established Crime Suppression Team in Southern Division. In this role, he directed targeted enforcement strategies aimed at disrupting organized criminal activity, strengthening interagency partnerships, and enhancing public safety throughout Los Angeles County.

His 24 years of dedication stand as a testament to his honor, commitment, and the enduring mission of providing the highest level of safety, service, and security, to the people of California.